Pfizer, BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine shows 95% efficacy

By The Science Advisory Board staff writers

December 11, 2020 -- In a trial of more than 40,000 participants, Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine showed a 95% efficacy against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to results published in the New England Journal of Medicine on December 10.

The phase III trial included data from 43,448 participants who were 16 years of age and older. Half of the participants received 30-µg BNT162b2 and half received the placebo in a two-dose regimen 21 days apart. The vaccine candidate was well-tolerated and demonstrated 95% efficacy in preventing COVID-19 in those without prior infection seven days or more after the second dose.

The results were generally consistent across subgroups defined by age, gender, race, ethnicity, baseline body mass index (BMI), or presence of other underlying comorbidities. In addition, partial protection began as early as 12 days after the first dose, the researchers found.

Among 36,523 participants who had no evidence of existing or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, there were 170 cases of COVID-19 observed with onset at least seven days after the second dose. The researchers found eight cases occurred in vaccine recipients, and 162 in placebo recipients.

Among participants with and without evidence of prior SARS CoV-2 infection, nine cases of COVID-19 were found among vaccine recipients and 169 among placebo recipients.

Pfizer and BioNTech are planning additional studies to evaluate the vaccine in pregnant women, children younger than 12, and those in special risk groups, such as the immunocompromised.

FDA in final stages before issuing Pfizer, BioNTech EUA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed Pfizer and BioNTech that it will work rapidly toward the finalization and issuance of an emergency...
FDA committee gives nod to move Pfizer, BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine toward EUA
A COVID-19 vaccine candidate from Pfizer-BioNTech, BNT162b2, passed a major milestone today when a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee...
Health Canada approves emergency use for Pfizer, BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine
Health Canada has granted authorization under an interim order for the emergency use of Pfizer-BioNTech's messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine, BNT162b2.
Pfizer touts positive clinical data for bispecific antibody, gene therapy
Pfizer has announced safety and clinical response results from its ongoing phase I study of its bispecific antibody for multiple myeloma. The company...
Pfizer, BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine gets emergency approval in the U.K.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in the U.K. has granted a temporary authorization for emergency use for BNT162b2, Pfizer and BioNTech's...

Copyright © 2020 scienceboard.net


Conferences
Connect
Science Advisory Board on LinkedIn
Science Advisory Board on Facebook
Science Advisory Board on Twitter